Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
Inhlakanipho enkulu yakhe indlu yayo, ibaze insika zayo eziyisikhombisa.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
Ihlabe okuhlatshwayo kwayo, ixubanise iwayini layo, futhi yalungisa itafula layo.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
Ithume incekukazi zayo, iyamemeza engqongeni zendawo eziphakemeyo zomuzi zisithi:
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Loba ngubani ongelalwazi? Kaphendukele lapha; oswele ingqondo, ithi kuye:
5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
Wozani, lidle okwesinkwa sami, linathe okwewayini engilixubanisileyo.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
Yekelani abangelalwazi liphile, lihambe ngokuqonda ngendlela yokuqedisisa.
7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Osola isiklolodi uzizuzela ihlazo, lokhuza okhohlakeleyo uzizuzela isici.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Ungasoli isiklolodi, hlezi sikuzonde; sola ohlakaniphileyo, njalo uzakuthanda.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Nika ohlakaniphileyo, njalo uzakuba lokhu ehlakanipha; fundisa olungileyo, njalo uzakwandisa ukufunda.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Ukuyesaba iNkosi kuyikuqala kwenhlakanipho, lolwazi lwabangcwele luyikuqedisisa.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
Ngoba ngami insuku zakho zizakwandiswa, leminyaka yempilo yengezelelwe kuwe.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
Uba uhlakaniphile, uzakuba uzihlakaniphele; uba ukloloda, uzakuthwala wedwa.
13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
Owesifazana oyisithutha ulomsindo, kalangqondo, kazi lutho.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Ngoba uhlala emnyango wendlu yakhe, esihlalweni, endaweni eziphakemeyo zomuzi,
15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
ukubiza abadlulayo ngendlela, abahamba beqondile emikhondweni yabo, esithi:
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Loba ngubani ongelalwazi? Kaphendukele lapha; loswele ingqondo, uthi kuye:
17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
Amanzi ebiweyo amnandi, lesinkwa sensitha siyahlabusa.
